In reality, both Muslims and Catholics tend to feel at home in “Mormon country” because although the dogmas differ, we have a lot in common: a quiet down to earth belief in God and acting like out beliefs matter.

Baioumy, who moved to Lindon from Egypt 11 years ago to work for Novell, said he was worried when he first came to the United States.

“I was worried, because the culture is completely different, the way of thinking,” he said. “When I came here to Utah I was surprised: this is not the U.S. I know. The impression I got about the U.S. was from the movies. But when you live with the people, it’s different.”

Baioumy said he likes the LDS culture in Utah County because it’s closer to Islamic culture than other parts of the United States. Baioumy said he has strong relationships with his mostly LDS neighbors.

That part about US being portrayed as hedonistic and immoral in movies should be realized by all Americans.

And I am not surprised that the article mentions that the local universities have set aside rooms for Muslim students to pray.

If the Salt Lake City area LDS tended to extend hospitality to the present day Muslim refugees from Bosnia and Somalia, it should be remembered that they similarly extended welcome to the gentile gold rush travelers at a time when the colony was still new and they could have been turned away since provisions were tight. Similarly, Brigham Young had to cope with gentiles who worked in the mines nearby, but he welcomed Catholic sisters who came to start a hospital for them.

So a President Romney, like a President Obama, should have no religious problem with the Middle East.

But then I came across another article asking a question: Are Mormons “Ahl Kitaab”? Are they “People of the Book”?

Traditionally, Jews and Christians were considered “People of the Book”, i.e. the Bible, and monotheists who believed in Allah, but just were too stubborn to recognize his final prophet.

Ironically, Zorastrian religion, which predates Christianity, was also considered in this category, since they too were monotheistic. Hindus? They are pagans, although some Muslim scholars pragmatically insist that they too could be considered in this category. The same argument goes for Buddhists.

However, in Iran, the Bahai religion is monotheistic, but since they converted out of Islam, the Shiite Mullahs of Iran see it as a heresy, it is being actively persecuted in that country.

But what of Mormonism and the LDS church?

I suspect you would get as many answers as you would if you ask Christians if Mormons are Christian. (Catholics object to the way the LDS church redefines many basic beliefs of ancient Christianity, and adds a new bible to that of revealed truth. So Catholics see them as a Christian sect,Â but they do not recognize their baptism).

Ah, but would an LDS president be seen as a member of “the People of the Book” by the Muslim world?

MuslimMatters says probably not: they resemble the Bahai, in being a Christian offshoot.

If we do some simple qiyaas, it would seem that Mormons with a “new religion”distinct from the “old Christianity” would be similarly excluded from Ahl Kitaab. At least, looking at it from a very simplistic point of view. Hopefully some brothers and sisters with access to scholarly point of view can provide some clarifications.

Of course, Islam is not a monolith any more than Christianity is, and I suspect that others scholars will interpret it differently.

Ordinary Muslims who love God will welcome a President whose religion, like theirs, requires charity to the poor and emphasizes the importance of the family, and who might understand why some countries want to add religious law to their constitutions.

9 users commented in " Are Mormons “Ahl Kitaab”? "

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not the “the People of the Book” as perhaps most believers in God imagine themselves to be. Although we believe in and love the words of the Bible, the Book of Mormon and all the other words of the prophets, for us, the final authority concerning God is not a book. It is God Himself–the one, true, omnipotent and omniscient Creator of the universe.

We believe in and follow the words of the prophets, of these books, not because they might be true, not because others tell us what to believe or what not to believe, not because we are afraid of men, not because we want to be accepted by some particular society or assume a group identity, but because God has revealed to each one of us by a glorious manifestation of His Holy Spirit, in a way that cannot be mistaken or confused, that they are indeed true. He gives a perfect assurance of the absolute truth of all His words. And He gives it generously to all those who believe in Him, commit themselves to His service, and deny not His power to reveal truth, nor His loving desire to do so.

Mormons believe that God knows and loves each one of us (not just Mormons, but all people, all His children) with a love beyond human understanding. He has no desire to punish anyone. (We only punish ourselves by our sins.) He wants us to be happy, even as happy as He is. He wants us to have eternal life with Him in His kingdom forever—so much so that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for us, so that our sins might be forgiven, that we might be forever free of the guilt of all our sins, if only we will believe and repent and follow Him. Otherwise, we cannot know His happiness.

And because He loves us to such an extent, He also helps us—as much as we will allow Him. (He will never force His help upon us.) One way He does this is through revelation. He reveals His truths to us through His living prophets, as well as directly to each of us individually, if we will not reject His revelation because of fear or the pride of our hearts. This personal guidance of the Holy Spirit is absolutely beautiful, clear, true and powerful. It is real and unmistakable. He has the power to make truth known to those who love Him and keep His commandments. He continually leads and guides to His eternal truths those who put their trust in Him, humbly submit themselves to Him, and lovingly follow His guidance with all their hearts.

This guidance from God brings Mormons to a remarkable unity of faith. It give us a very focused determination to work together to help Him build His kingdom here on the earth for the benefit of all His children. We don’t quarrel over interpretations of scripture. We are beyond such things. We already individually know from God what His words mean. We are in natural agreement, one with God and with one another.

We have so much joy in His service. Of course. It is because He is the source of all joy and gives it liberally to those who love Him enough to do His will. As a result, we love everyone and respect the God given freedom of everyone to choose for himself what he will believe or do. God does not force anyone to follow or obey Him. He only gives us gentle invitations. Those who love Him will choose to respond with loving obedience to His word. And they will know His happiness.

Andrew Price said,

in September 25th, 2012 at 2:43 am

Mormonism is a fearful heresy.The idea of electing a man who believes that Jesus is the Devil’s brother and that he (that is Mitt Romney) will one day become a god should fill any Christian with dread.I am confident that enough Christians and true conservatives will abstain as to make a difference.

fkratz said,

in September 25th, 2012 at 7:28 am

Peter Marlow- So first I’d ask if you believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and if you believe the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham are true?

Second, I’d wonder how you would explain why Joseph Smith found it necessary to teach his followers that he and the brethren alone held the keys to eternal exaltation? Why would he drag them through hell on earth to build Zion and the temples necessary to perform the “ordinances” in preparation for Christ’s return within their lifetimes? Why would he teach that the destruction of the Nation was eminent and that their enemies would all be destroyed (again, all within their lifetimes)?

Do you guys still believe that the “latter days” will be arriving “any time now”, or what?

JPSperry said,

in September 25th, 2012 at 9:04 am

@fkratz, you apparently have opinions you wish express. You know as well as I that there are two sides to every tale: there are those who try in earnest to live God’s laws to the best of their knowledge, and then there are those disgruntled souls who lash out at anyone who calls on them to repent. Which side are you on my friend?

Readbofm said,

in September 25th, 2012 at 11:26 am

I am with you Peter Marlow.
Do not worry about Andrew Price and fkratz. They are latter-day Zeezrom’s, and you are a latter-day Amulek.

lakers5 said,

in September 25th, 2012 at 12:13 pm

I would think mormons would be brothers of the book, since the book in question is the old testament, which mormons accept as canon and typically give more attention to than catholics and protestants.

As noted, Mormons also typically have very good relations with muslims and jews, and catholics for that matter. Teddy Kollek, the former mayor of Jerusalem, said that mormons could bring jews and muslims together because they see both sides with understanding. Sharing a common moral code with muslims may also prove helpful in mormon-islamic relations.

As the world becomes more globalized, it will be necessary for the west to make peace with the arab world on a much deeper level then presently. mormons could actually be a big help in that.

fkratz said,

in September 25th, 2012 at 1:21 pm

So JPSperry, what am I missing? What’s the other side of the tale? Joseph Smith convinced his followers that he held the keys to eternal exaltation. Right? He also convinced them that Christ would return within their lifetimes. And there was a definite urgency to build up Zion on earth in preparation for this event. I’m not one bit disgruntled. I just find your church history interesting, and sad.

Nancy Reyes said,

in September 25th, 2012 at 5:18 pm

Peter Marlow: Thank you for your instructions.

It sounds like the LDS approach to the holy books is similar to that of Catholic and Orthodox Christians, who hold personal relationship to God and the instructions of the church “which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Tim 3:15) as the key to their faith, not Luther’s Magic book idea.

Zack Tacorin said,

in October 1st, 2012 at 10:36 am

I’m a former Mormon who is for Mitt, to a large extent because I think he’ll leave his religious dogma out of his leadership influence. But for those of you who think all his LDS beliefs are an asset, consider this.

Peter Marlow mentions that Mormons have scriptural canon in addition to the Bible. One of those canonical books is the Pearl of Great Price. In the Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith describes his meeting with God the Father. Joseph explains that he asked God which church he should join. Here’s Joseph’s account of God’s reply.

“I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt.”

Peter also explained that he has received personal revelation that this is true–that all their creeds were an abomination. This includes Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism. If I thought Mitt would fall back on this religious dogma to lead, I would not support his candidacy.

Are there any Mormons out there who want to defend this dogma or their personal revelation of it?

My Best,
Zack

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